Connecting HRM

[dpetzko]

PM5 and Polar H10 HRM. The PM5 does not seem to remember the HRM. I have to connect the HRM using the PM5 utility prior to each row. Just wondering if this is normal?

Dave

[MPx]

I think so. I use a Garmin but found just the same. However I was told on here that if you use Ergdata on a phone and pair your phone with the PM5 over Bluetooth then Ergdata will remember your belt and link up automatically. I now do that and it certainly works for me, but I have to make sure I'm patient enough at the start as it takes quite a few seconds (~15-20?) to get linked up and it wont do so if you set off rowing before it has.

[nysaag]

I have had the same issue with my Garmin and I do not wish to do the whole Bluetooth/ergdata thing.
Can anyone at Concept2 explain?

[jamesg]

There must be a nice Boolean truth table in there, to cope with the many connection combinations. So to keep it simple I just switch on ergdata, with no USB in PM5, and start pulling.

Ergdata sees PM5 a few seconds after first pull and shows and records data as from the start.

Mr Galvani in due time and sweat connects me to the belt, which gives it something to broadcast. Ergdata listens and shows what it hears with no prompting.

PM5 hears the belt and knows who it is, but needs an order to connect to specific belt(s), and (apparently) a memory if we want the order remembered. Without, PM5 forgets the order on switchoff.

Apparently PM5 saves rowing data either on board or in USB, but not both. I've not yet pressed enough buttons to see what else can be done with a USB memory plugged in.

[MPx]

Can anyone at Concept2 explain?

Best to email C2 direct with your question, but if it helps I got this from Will Spalding at C2 as part of the answers to my questions:

We would recommend that you use ErgData, you'll be able to do most of what you want to do this way. You can't use a USB flash drive at the same time as ErgData though, you'll set up conflicts on where the finished workout results are saved if you do. [....] Also, if you pair your PM5 with your iPhone, and then after this pairing is complete you pair your heart rate transmitter with your PM5, the ErgData app will "remember" the pairing, so that the next time you use ErgData while your using your heart rate transmitter you won't have to go through the HR pairing sequence again.

[dpetzko]

I should have said in my original post that I'm using Rowpro. I just need to remember to get the HRM connected to the PM5 before starting Rowpro. It would be nice of the PM5 remembered the connection...but it's not a big deal.

Could I use ErgData and Rowpro at the same time so that ErgData would force the HRM connection to the PM5? Maybe time for some experimenting...

Dave

[MPx]

I don't think so Dave, they both work by taking control of the PM so the PM would get confused between them.

[Carl Watts]

RowPro is like that you need to be connected before going online .RowPro takes over the monitor and you cannot go back and press the button to get a connection.

I did read somewhere if you have the USB stick plugged in it remembers your HR Belt.

What version of RowPro are you using ? I have only just moved from V4.3 to V5.3 but am running a PM4 which remembers the belt 9 out of 10 times but occasionally appears to forget. Just updated the now old firmware on the monitor to V332 so perhaps it even better now.

[dpetzko]

I'm on the latest version of RowPro and PM5 with current firmware. Just started using RowPro and really like it a lot.

Dave

[Ripples]

I did read somewhere if you have the USB stick plugged in it remembers your HR Belt.

It does. Once paired, my USB always remembers my Garmin HRM

[Carl Watts]

Yes just had to move to a first generation PM5 (version 27 firmware) as the latest version of RowPro V5.3 just randomly drops my PM4 connection during the row.

I put a formatted USB stick in it and after the PM5 finished setting it up, there now is an option to remember your belt so will see how this goes, it should be more reliable than the PM4 at remembering my Garmin strap.

Hopefully this set-up works or else I'm out of options.